Tuna Burger with Aïoli Tartar Sauce

tunaburger Easy tuna burger patties make for a glorious crispy tuna burger, flavoured with lemon, parsley and capers and topped with an easy, spiced aioli tartar sauce. Transform your boring canned tuna into scrumptious tuna burger patties and make the best brunch or dinner burger. I use my brioche buns recipe to make the most amazing burger.

2 (8 oz) cans tuna chunks, not flakes, drained (226 g)
½ onion, finely chopped
½ tsp. white or brown sugar
1½ Tbsp. lemon juice, freshly squeezed
2 tsp. lemon zest, freshly grated
2 Tbsp. capers, chopped
1 large egg
3 Tbsp. breadcrumbs
1 handful fresh parsley leaves, roughly chopped (~ ¼ cup loosely packed)
2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2 tsp. brown sugar
extra breadcrumbs, for breading
oil, for frying

Aïoli Tartar Sauce:
½ cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. sweet pickle, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. shallots or red onion, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. capers, finely chopped
¼ tsp. ground cayenne pepper
¼ tsp. ground paprika

Burger:
2 burger buns
lettuce
tomato
avocado
2 poached eggs

Tuna Patty:
Heat a pan to medium heat with a Tbsp. of oil. When the pan is hot, add the onion and sugar and cook until the onions are soft and lightly caramelized. Set aside to let it cool down.

Place the drained tuna in a bowl. Add the softened onion and the rest of the ingredients (except for the extra breadcrumbs).

Mix all the ingredients until well combined. Be careful not to crush all the tuna - it’s good to have some nice chunks in there. The tuna should be a wet mix.

Sprinkle some breadcrumbs on a plate and place the tuna patty on top. Press more breadcrumbs on top of the patty as well (so that both top and bottom are coated with breadcrumbs).

Heat a pan with a shallow amount of oil. Carefully place the tuna patty in the hot oil and fry until golden brown. Using a wide spatula, flip the patty over and fry for a few more minutes until golden brown on both sides.

Oil:
Place on a rack or paper towel to drain.

Aïoli Tartar Sauce:
Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine. Keep it in the fridge, covered, until needed.

Burger:
Halve the burger buns and toast the cut sides on a pan or grill.

Place lettuce leaves on the bottom burger bun, top with a tuna patty, tomato slices, avocado slices, egg and tartar sauce.

Salad:
The tuna patty can also be served over your favourite salad, topped with tartar sauce.

Makes 2 servings.